WSO shows off flexibility during acrobatic concert

TUMBLERS, contortionists, jugglers, oh my! The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra wrapped its Pops series with a show of dazzling athleticism and jaw-dropping beauty Friday night, courtesy of the world-renowned Peking Acrobats.

The acclaimed troupe grew out of the Great China Circus popularized during the 1920s. It became a professional company in 1958 and is touring North America in celebration of its 25th anniversary. The company consists of eighteen youthful acrobats plucked from China's fabled training schools who perform tricks and stunts dating back 2,000 years.

The East-meets-West show also included an orchestral mix of classics led by WSO resident conductor Richard Lee, interspersed with the PA's house band of musicians performing on traditional Chinese instruments.

Immediately from the opening Lion Dance, it was clear we were in for a good time. As two gigantic, winking lions leapt about the stage accompanied by both the WSO and Chinese band, gymnasts and a cyclist interwove among the other performers. The baby lions were completely adorable as they cavorted with their "parents."

The delicate beauty of Save it for a Rainy Day followed with five women holding spinning parasols. Their dancelike section seamlessly bled into a soloist, who balanced and spun parasols with her slippered feet.

Aerial Acrobatics featured three female aerial artists performing splits and heart-stopping falls from red silks hung from the ceiling.

A lovely touch was having several of the Chinese musicians play among the performers centre-stage, providing added dimensionality while allowing us to see (and hear) them more clearly.

This was matched by the oddly titled, martial-arts inspired A Souped Up Strap and a Kung Fu Surprise set to Sakamoto's The Last Emperor, which saw the male acrobats wrapping their bodies and spinning supported only by ceiling-hung straps that slapped together like gunshot.

One notable aspect of this well-paced show was its seamless integration of classical and folkloric elements.

Lee held it all together -- despite the very real distraction of the show -- launching into Ravel's Bolero that underscored Colourful Contortionist.

Even the musicians couldn't seem to take their eyes off the two lithe young women whose pliable spines objectified their bodies and defied logic.

We also had a clown clad in a red baseball hat who dared Lee to tumble along with him. To his credit, the maestro attempted a few high kicks of his own but will likely want to keep his day job.

At press time, the PA's record-breaking Human Pyramid, where the acrobats stack on chairs had yet to be performed.

This is the time when arts organizations pull out all their bells and whistles to dazzle its patrons and lure new subscribers.

This enormously entertaining production did just that. The only question is whether or not the 2,105 audience members, who audibly gasped their way throughout the spectacle, will return in the fall for the orchestra's decidedly tamer, purely musical offerings.

The concert repeats Saturday at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, at 2 p.m.

holly.harris@shaw.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 14, 2011 B2